Safety guard or fender



8 P. ELSWORTH, Jr.

SAFETY GUARD 0R FENDER.

No. 581,839. A Patented Jan. 1, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT union PlllLlP ELSWORTH, JR, OF BAYONNE, NEXV JERSEY.

SAFETY GUARD OR FENDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,839, dated January 1, 1895 Application filed September 1, 1394. Serial No. 521,900- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP ELsWoRTH, Jr, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Bayonne,in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Guards or Fenders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in safety guards or fenders, and particularly to that class designed for use on street cars and motors; having for its object the prod notion of a device which will be light, simple and economical in construction, and strong, durable and efficient in use.

To these ends, therefore, my said invention consists in a scoop, cradle, or other receptacle capable of oscillatory movement, and in the details of construction, and the arrangement and combination of parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in the figures of which like parts are designated by similar letters of reference, Figure 1, is afront elevation. Fig. 2, is a central vertical sectional view of my improved fender, in position for use; and Figs. 3 and 4; are onlarged views of details of construction.

a,is across-bar or rod, adapted to be bolted, or otherwise secured to the bottom of the car, at such point as maybe convenient, and differing slightly in cars of different construction. The cross-bar a, is provided at each end with the depending arms 1), preferably having secured at or near their lower ends the cross brace c,imparting stilfnes's, strength and rigidity to the structure.

The fender proper consists of the two downwardly curving arms d, pivoted or journaled at e, to the arms I), and each preferably constructed in two parts, jointed or pivoted together at d", for a purpose to be presently explained, and normally held in the position shown by the swinging lock-platef, Figs. 1 and 4., or other equivalent device to prevent the said parts from folding or collapsing upon striking an obstacle.

The outer and lower ends of the curved arms d, closely approach, but are preferably not in contact with the rails, and each is provided with the small wheel or roller g,adapted to run on the rails when the outer end of the fender is depressed, by reason of the longitudinal oscillation of the car, or upon striking an oh- I ject. The said arms cl, are further provided with the cross-braces h, between the lower two of which is arranged the netting t', or other filling, as shown, and constituting a receptacle in which the body will rest upon being struck by the device, as presently pointed out.

To the upper and inner ends of arms 01, or to the upper cross-brace h, are attached the spiral springs j, of considerable power, and preferably two in number; the opposite ends thereof being engaged in eyes at the ends of suitable braces or supports it. These springs are normally held distended and at a tension by the engagement of the hooks Z, pivoted to the bar a, or to the bottom of the car, with the upper cross-brace h, or the arms d; and comparatively weak springs or, serve to retract said hooks and draw them out of engagement when the fender is oscillated forwardly.

The operation of my invention is as follows, the parts being in their normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, and by full lines in Fig. 2: Upon striking an object, the fender is oscillated forwardly on its pivots or journals 9, forcing the outer and lower ends of arms (1, downwardly, and permitting the wheels .or rollers g, to roll upon the track. This action obviously moves the upper and inner ends of arms cl, forwardly, further distending the spiral springs j, and relieving the friction upon the hooks Z, which are immediately retracted and drawn out of engagement by their springs in. The full force of the spiral springs j, is now exerted to rotate the fender in the opposite direction, viz: rearwardly, and to cause the same to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, raising-the outer and lower ends of arms (1, and connected parts, and scooping up and retaining the body struck until the car can be stopped; being aided in this operation by the momentum of the car. It is not necessary that the body struck should be heavy to cause this operation, which is practically instantaneous, and the force of impact with even a light body will be suflicient to trip the device and cause it to operate as set forth. It will be found that by inclining the springs j, (i. c, depresstween their upper ends and middle in dependsaid upper cross-bar and normally overcomno 3 5 ing arms or brackets, and a suitable filling; ing said tension, substantially as described. Springs tending, and adapted to rotate said 8. In combination with two depending scoop and raise the outer end thereof when arms, two inwardly curving arms pivoted an object is struck, extending from the upper thereto, each comprising two parts pivoted end thereof, rearwardly beneath the car, subtogether, and provided with wheels at their re 5 o stantially as described. outer ends, cross-braces and a filling, such as 2. A scoop or receptacle capable of oscillaa net; a lock normally preventing the folding tion, comprising curving arms pivoted beof the curved arms at their joints; downtween their upper ends and middle in depend wardly inclined spiral springs at or near the ing arms or brackets, and a suitable filling; upper ends of said arms, normally at a ten- I 5 springs, normally at a tension extending from sion, and spring hooks normally overcoming the upper ends of said scoop rearwardly besaid tension and adapted to be automatically neath the car, and spring-retracted hooks released when an object is struck, substannormally overcoming said tension, substantiallyas described. tially as described. 9. The bar at, having the depending arms or 1 5o 3. A scoop or receptacle capable of oscillabrackets b, and brace c, secured beneath the tion, comprising curving arms pivoted becar; thejointed arms d, pivoted in arms I), and tween their upper ends and middle in dependprovided with the lock f, filling 2', wheels g ing arms or brackets,braces andasuitable filland cross-braces h; the springs j, extending ing; springs, tending, and adapted to rotate from the upper brace h, to the support k,

ing their inner ends, as shown,) a greater rearward rotation is given to the fender and its successful operation rendered more positive, than would be the case if said springs were straight and horizontal. The act of restoring the fender to its normal position is obvious and requires no description here.

When it is desired to house the cars in the sheds, or to fold the rear fender out of the way, the plate f, or equivalent lock, is swung on its pivot, and the lower parts of arms 61 are folded upon the upper parts at the joint (1', thus reducing the projection of the device to the minimum. A hook, chain, or other means may be arranged to hold said parts in their folded and closed position.

I do not desire to limit myself to the specific construction herein shown and described,

as obviously, many changes and alterations may be made therein without departing from the principle and scope of my invention, and involving merely a mechanics skill. For ex ample, any desired form of lock may be used in place of the swinging plate f. the hooks Z, and springs m, may be replaced by equivalent devices, performing the same functions; and many other modifications in construction, to meet particular exigencies will at once suggest themselves to practical mechanics.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A scoop or receptacle capable of oscillation, comprising curving arms, pivoted besaid scoop, and raise the outer end thereof extending from the upper end thereof rearwardly beneath the car, and spring-retracted hooks adapted to engage the upper end of said scoop and prevent such action untilan object is struck, substantially as described.

4. A scoop or receptaelecapable of oscillation, comprising curving arms pivotedbetween their upper ends and middle in depending arms or brackets, braces and a suitable filling, such as a net; springs tending and' A 0,14- 4-4- 1 Lil-"kn,

the upper end thereof downwardly and rearwardly to a suitable bracket or support beneath the car, and spring-retracted hooks preventing said rotation until an object is struck, substantially as described.

5. A scoop orreceptacle pivotallyfulcrumed to depending arms, and provided with an upper cross-bar; springs attached to said scoop above the pivots and extending rearwardly beneath the car; and spring-retracted hooks normally engaging the said upper cross-bar, substantially as described.

6. A scoop or receptacle,pivotally fulcrumed on depending arms, and provided with an upper crossbar; downwardly and rearwardly inclined springs abovesaid pivots, and extending beneath the car, tending and adapted to rotate said scoop and raise the outer end thereof, and spring hooks normally engaged with the upper cross-bar and preventing such movement, but adapted to be automatically arms being pivoted between their upper ends 5 and middle .in depending arms or brackets; springs normally at a tension, extending from said upper cross bar rearwardly beneath the car, and spring-retracted hooks engaging and the hooks Z, having the springs m, engaging said upper cross-brace h, all combined and arranged to operatesubstantially as described, for the purposes set forth.

Signed at Bayonne, in the county of Hudr 25 PHILIP ELSWORTH, JR.

WVitnesses:

FLOYD K. SMITH,

m r not 

